The Masked Singer in fix row as Natalie Imbruglia is unmasked as PANDA and wins – beating Charlotte Church as Mushroom
NATALIE Imbruglia was named the winner of the Masked Singer last night – sparking a fix row.
The Australian star, 47 – famed for hits including Torn and Wrong Impression – beat off competition from Charlotte Church as Mushroom and Mark Feehily who was unmasked at Robobunny.
Those watching at home weren’t convinced by her win because many felt she wasn’t the strongest singer and took to Twitter to complain.
One person wrote: “Panda was absolutely amazing but not the best. Fix! #TheMaskedSinger #TheMaskedSingerUK.”
A second tweeted: “Absolute fix #TheMaskedSinger”
While a third added: “How anybody in that audience thinks Panda is a better singer than Robbobunny or Mushroom is beyond me? Mushroom absolutely robbed. Has to be a fix. #MaskedSingerUK.”
And a fourth raged: “Well that’s me changing the channel now! Absolute boll**ks that panda won against robo bunny and mushroom, your audience needs looking at!!! Clearly a fix! What a waste of an evening !! #MaskedSingerUK.”
Fans had already suspected it was Natalie behind the mask after it was revealed she would be appearing on the Graham Norton Show next week.
Speaking after her win, the one-time Neighbours star said: “I just loved being Panda. When I put the costume on I would just become Panda.
“I stayed in an American accent the whole time so if I sound weird that’s because I have been flipping.
“I just had so much fun. I made friends with a traffic cone and a mushroom. This is an amazing show and I am thrilled to have been a part of it.”
Westlife singer Mark 41, was the first to be unmasked as Robobunny and came in third place – leaving fans furious who felt he had been robbed.
“Being hidden inside the costume gave me a chance to forget about what I look like for the first time in my career,” he said.
Then Welsh classical singer Charlotte was revealed in The Masked Singer final following an impressive performance of Flower Duet from Leo Delibes’ opera, Lakme.
Grande finale
The surreal show, which is presented by comedian Joel Dommett, sees famous contestants disguised in elaborate costumes sing in front of a celebrity panel who have to guess their true identity.
Saturday’s show saw Panda deliver a sassy performance of Blank Space by Taylor Swift, while Robobunny impressed with an impassioned and dramatic rendition of Run by Snow Patrol.
Mushroom then took to the stage and surprised the panel with a performance of the classical piece Flower Duet from Leo Delibes’ opera Lakme.
Three former contestants from previous series – Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts as Queen Bee, comedian Jason Manford as Hedgehog and JLS member Aston Merrygold as Robin – also returned to duet with the finalists ahead of the first elimination.
Regular panelists Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan were joined by special guest singer Joss Stone, who won the second series performing as Sausage.
